What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is an ancient system for regulating and balancing bodily functions to relieve pain, treat disease and promote well-being. This is done by inserting needles and applying heat (moxibustion), pressure or electrical stimulation at very precise acupuncture points.
The first descriptions of acupuncture in ancient Chinese literature occurred around 2500 BC. Acupuncture was introduced to other Asian countries around 1000 AD, to Europe around 1700, and to the U.S. in 1972 following President Nixon’s trip to China.
According to a 2002 National Health Interview Survey, an estimated 8.2 million U.S. adults have used acupuncture. This was an eightfold increase over survey figures from 1994.
See our History section for more information.
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